A printer must be purchased once, but because ink cartridges must be replaced frequently, the expense of running the printer and keeping it in good working order can add up. Despite the fact that every 'print' command, no matter how small, causes your printer to use ink, there are some simple tricks you can do to save a lot of ink and extend the life of a cartridge.
1. Only print what is required
Let's start by making savings. Most frequently, we wind up printing out things we don't need to and wasting expensive ink in the process. For example, you might just need to print a piece of a web page rather than the entire page. Make sure you only print the parts of the page you want in hard copy rather than printing the entire page with all of its complex graphics and other elements.
Ink usage for text is always lower than for graphics or images. You can be sure not to print the visuals and images if you only require text-based information. Check for a print version of the web page if you need to print it off.
2. Try a short print preview first
The majority of branded printers, including those from HP, Canon, Dell, Epson, and other manufacturers, have a printer driver with a very helpful print preview feature. You can view a previous version of the copy you want to print out using this function.
When printing directly from the Internet, this function is extremely useful. There are occasions when what you see online and in print are completely different. A short preview can assist in getting the hardcopy of the content you require.
3. Use quality software.
Online, there are numerous possibilities for ink-saving software. These computer programs are made to decrease the amount of ink that is used by your printer. Even when printing in high resolution, you can acquire printable copies of good quality with these applications while using less ink.
4. Make wise use of printer ink cartridges
Run a quick print test at least once a week if you don't print frequently to prevent the ink cartridges from drying out. You can lengthen the cartridge's lifespan by taking this simple precaution.
5. Verify that the power is off.
The same rule that applies to turning off your computer properly before switching it off also applies to turning off your printer. If you don't properly shut down the printer, the print heads will continue to be exposed to air, which will cause the ink to dry in the nozzles and may negatively impact the printing quality. Make it a habit to always look to see where the print heads are before turning the power off.
